21 July 2022
The results of a recent study into nurses’ safety highlights one of the reasons why the ANMF (SA Branch) continues to advocate for a plan that combats violence and aggression.
A recent quantitative study from Flinders University and the University of Southern Queensland has investigated nurses’ perceptions of the support they receive after incidences of workplace violence.
The hospital support has been described as inadequate by research participants.
Nurses said they also felt exposed to litigation by violent patients who may press charges against nurses who had defended themselves in incidents.
“What the nurses told us in these interviews reflects the lack of support that nurses experience from their organisation following an incidence of workplace violence,” says author Dr Hila Dafny from Flinders University’s College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
“Support is needed immediately to empower nurses to be able to continue their caring role. We found that often support was not provided, nor were nurses aware of the support services available. Although personal family and friends were a valuable support, most nurses were reluctant to disclose their experiences to protect them.”
The researchers conducted focus group interviews with 23 nurses working in a regional Queensland Hospital, which found that the primary source of support for nurses after a violent incident was from other nurses.
Previous studies into violence in nursing and midwifery have found that nearly half (48%) of participants who experienced a workplace violence incident in the preceding six months were dissatisfied with their employers’ response. About two thirds (67%) were not provided with adequate information, support or follow up.
Nurses say they are looking for strong support from their managers, but those who are working in disjointed teams say there is minimal interaction between management and frontline nurses.
“The findings from this study with regional nurses demonstrates a lack of adequate support required to cope with workplace violence incidences,” says Dr Dafny.
The study’s authors say that nursing management must address problems immediately after any incidence of workplace violence.
“We know from SLS statistics that incidences of violence and abuse against health care staff have soared in South Australia by almost 50 per cent in the last five years,’’ ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM said.
Metropolitan incidents jumped from 2,063 in 2017 to 2,824 in 2021. In the regional areas, the figure surged from 863 to 1,484.
“The ANMF (SA Branch) will continue to advocate for the application of our 10-point plan to combat violence and aggression. This plan includes improved security, particularly in regional settings, making sure that any workplace design goes to prevent violence, that people are educated on how to handle the issues, and that the issues are, in fact, taken seriously by management and executives,’’ Ms Dabars said. She said Labor had committed to its 10-point plan prior to the election and Premier Peter Malinauskas has since committed to a review of workplace security in regional hospitals.
We are also seeking to strengthen provisions in our public sector enterprise agreement negotiations to ensure that nurses, midwives, and assistants in nursing are protected if they are injured as a result of violence and/or aggression in the workplace.
“We plan to work with the Government to bring real and positive change in the health system that will make hospitals and health care a safe zone for nurses, midwives, other health professionals and the communities they serve,” Ms Dabars said.